Quantification of muscle strength and motor ability in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy on steroid therapy

objective: an assessment protocol was applied to quantify and describe muscular strength and motor abilities of 32 patients with duchenne muscular dystrophy (dmd), aged between 5 and 12 years on steroid therapy. method: assessments were made monthly for the first six months and with intervals of two months thereafter until the 14-month end point. the tests employed included: the medical research council (mrc) scale; the hammersmith motor ability score; maximum weight lift; timed rise from floor and nine-meter walk. results: the results showed that loss of muscular strength and motor abilities were slowed in comparison to that observed in the natural evolution of the disease according to the literature. conclusion: we conclude that a swift and objective assessment may be performed using the mrc scale for lower limbs and trunk, the hammersmith motor ability score, timed nine-meter walk and weight lifts.